Gauge



May-5,1925. 1,536,418

' Ev B. CROCKER GAUGE Filed April 1'7. 1920 dial hand arbor, and also to form a con.- venient indication for properly locating the parts in assembling` and securing them.

Mounted in a hole in the socket piece, and secured therein is a` vertically extending post 19. Rotatably mounted on this post is a sleeve 20 formed with a pintle 2l at one end thereof, said pintle extending through the dial plate 22, and carrying the hand or pointer 23.

ln accordance wit-h the principles of my invention this sleeve 20, carrying the hand or pointer 23, is rotatably actuated by the movements of the Bourdon tube under the influence of pressure variations. The connections intermediate the free end of the tube and the sleeve rotatively actuating the latter may be of a wide variety of forms. ln Figs. 1, 3, 4i and 5, l have shown one simple and efficient arrangement which l have found to possess many practical advan- According to this .arrangement a flexible connection is connected at its ends to the free end ot the tube and intermediate its ends iscoiled about the sleeve A simple arrangement is shown wherein a collar 25 is applied to the sleeve, and said collar is formed with a lip or tongue Q6, cut therein, which, when deflected affords an opening through the collar. @ne run or leg; of the flexible connect-ion 24, is passed around the sleeve 20 above `the collar 25, and then vis passed through the opening?,` formed by deliecting` lthe lip `or tongue 26. and is then wound around the sleeve below the collar. l have found that a single turn ot the connection 2% around the sleeve 2O above the collar 25,.a1nd a single turn around the sleeve below the collar is suliicient, though it is Ato be understood that my invention is not to be limited in this respect. if desired, the connection 24 may be locked upon the sleeve `20, by simply pinching the lip or tongue 9,6, thcreagrainst, after said connection is coiled upon the sleeve. lt will thus be seen that the connection is secured to tle sleeve at its midpoint, from whim point it leads in opposite directions around and from the sleeve. The connections ot the ends of the flexible connection to the frcc end of the Bourdon tube may be ellected in any suitable or convenient" manner. ,fr simple and etlicient arrangement is shown.y to which, however, l Ydo not denne vto be limited or restricted, wherein a. p inembcr 27 is fitted to thc lrce end ot the tube.y and is formed with lips or tongues 2S, bctween which one end oit the flexible connection Q-ilis received and held in place by crimping or pinchingsaid .lips or tongues thereon. The other end of the iicxible connection is secured upon a hook 529 also `tormed on the tip member 27. @ne of vthc legs or runs ot the connection intermediate the sleeve 2O and the free end of the mes/rre Bourdon tube contains an extensible portion 30, which may be conveniently a coiled spring. In the operation of the '(levice, when the free end ot the Bourdon tube moves in a direction away from the slewc it exerts a pull on one les;r or run oi the flexible connection, the yieldingp;` or extensible portion 30, in the other leg or run of the connection permitting` such pull to be exerted upon the sleeve to rotatively ymove the latter in one direction. The movement is against the yielding tension of the extensible portion 30, which will restore the sleeve to its initial position when the pull of the tube relaxes under the influence of a reduction of pressure therein.

It may sometimes be desirable to arrest and prevent the further rotative movement of the sleeve 2() when a given degree of rotative movement has been imparted thereto, in order to avoid the danger of twisting or breaking the hand or pointer after it has reached a limit of its throw. Again, in case an abnormal pressure lis suddenly admitted to the tube 16, the danger is incurred ot causing damage or injury to the tube, or to unduly strain the tube and cause the same to become more or less set under the influence of the abnormal strain or pressure thereby imposed thereon. To avoid these and other objections, l provide a short section 3l ot slack in the flexible connection 2f!- around the extensible section 30 Fig. This slack permits the proper functioning of the extensible portion, as above described when the device. is operating under normal conditions, but in case ot abnormal movement of the tube 16, the slack portion 3l will be taken up thereby arresting the action ot the extensible portion 30, and locking` the sleeve 2O against further rotative movement because equal pulls will thereafter be imposed on the two legs or runs of the flexible connection 24..

As above indicated, my invention, in i broadest scope, is not to be limited or rcstricted in respect to the connections vfor ro` tatively actuatingV the dial hand spindle or sleeve 20. For example, excellent results may be obtained by providing' the sleeve with a laterally extending arm 32, sce Fig. G, the outer cud of which is pivolally connected by means ol' a linh to the tree cud of the Bourdon tube.

lilxperience has shown that Bourdon tubes Frequently develop frcalqish peculiarities and character-istics which often. differ iu tubes even when made in the same way vfrom the same material and of the saine dimensions. These characteristics are sometimes reterretfl to as the vagaries of the tubes, and they rise to the necessity of accurately adjusting` each instrument after the parts thereof have been assembled and before they are sold or put into use, in order that the llffll llo :caseras instrument may give correct i`1'1dicat'ionsof };uessure variations. It is among the special and important features and purposes otmy present invention to provide means which are exceedingly simple, efficient and easily accessible for effecting the desired adjustment of the instrument to compensate for the `vagar-ies of the tube after the tube and other parts have been assembled. In carrying out this part of my invention, and as a result ofexperimentation, I have found that by providing a suitable fulcrum for the tube about `which the tube may rockin its dis tending movements under the influence of the pressure appliedthereto, and by suitably adjustingI such-fulcrum in the directionof the length of the tube, I am enabled to adjust the free` length or leverage of the free end of the tube and consequently the range of movement ofthe `free end of the tube, thus affording a simple and convenient means for adjusting the instrumentrto compensate for any irregularities due to such rag-aries or to the assembling of the parts. These objects and purposes may be attained in a Wide variety of arrangements of an adjustable tube fulcrum point. j

In` Figy'l I have,k shown "one illustrative arrangement which I have found to be simple and economical to manufacture and easy to apply, and wherein I employ an abutment, vvhich, in this illustra-tive instance is shown as a` roller, indicated at 34, Which is interposed betvveen the' inner Wall of the casing l0, and the tube 16, toform a fulcrum point for the free` end of the tube. This fulcrum abutment `is carried at theend of a shank member 35, in the-form of a spring strip rod or Wire of any suitable shape in cross section, which, in one form, isbent around an annulargroove formed in the abutment bil. This shank memberis bent to conform to the circumferential curvature ot the case 10, and is disposed Within and along the inner Wall surface of the case outside the tube 1G, as clearly shown. By shifting` this shank member in the direction of its length the abutment 34 is correspondingly shifted inthe direction of the length of the tube,` thereby varying the fulcrum point about which the free end of the tube moves, that is, in` effect, r\ 'ai.'yiug the effective lengtll ot the tube. i j i In order to facilitate the adjustment ol" the shank member v35,'a11d to atford convenient and easy access thereto for adjust meut from outside the case, I find it convenient to punch inwardly a portion 36 of theu'all of the case, to form a loop, and to pass the shanlr or fulcrum carryingmember through this` loop, whereby, by grasping the j iiortiou oitsaidshank portion Which is exposed to the outside of the case through the slot or opening Si', with a suitable tool the desired adjustment of said member andA of the fulcruui al'uitmcnt Brt is efi'ected. The abutment and its carrying men'iber are held in the adjustments by. friction between the tube and casing wall, and between the carrying memberand loop 36 of the casing wall.

In Figs. G and 7 I have shown another illustrative arrangement of adjustable fulcrum wherein the bent end 38 of a spring strap or plate 39 consti,tutes',the fulcruin l'iearing or 'abutment for the tube. This plate 39 is shaped to conform to the curva tureof the inner Wall surface of the case,

andis applied and secured to said inner Wall for circumferential adjustment. Thisl adjustment is secured by providing a longitudinal slot Ll() .in said plate through which extends a clamping and guiding stud tl, mounted in the Wall of the casing. By suit ably loosening up the stud 4l the vplate) may be adjusted in the direction of its length and securedy in its adjusted' position by again tightening up the said stud.

From the foregoing description it will be seen thatl provide an exceedingly simple structure of gauge, which requires but few parts, is economica] to manufacture, and is' capable of being easily and quickly assembled. It Will also be seen `that I avoid the customary. frame ordinarily employed in devices of this nature and the gear segment and its :adjusting slide member Which require such a frame for their mounting, as Well as the gear pinion on the dial hand spindle, and `the ordinary form of hair spring, and that by eliminating these parts I am enabled *to very greatly reduce the cost of manufacture of the instrument, and this I am enabled to do in a structure. which does not sacrifice anything of ruggedness and sturdiness, nor `accuracy of indications." It Will also be seen that I provide means for quickly and accurately adjusting the gauge to compensatefor inaccuracies or in-j equalities due to the vagaries of the tube, or to the manufacture or assembly of the parts. Many variations and changes in the details of construction andarrangement of parts will readily occur to persons skilled in the art-'and still fall Within the spirit and scopeof my invention. I do not desire,

therefore, to be `limitral in the broad scope of my invention to described.

But having now` set forth t-he objects and nature of my finvention and various cou structions embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as neivand useful, and of my own invention7 and'desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-.-` i

l. In aBourdon tube gauge, a casing, a Bourdon tube, a socket piece to vvhich one end of said tube is anchored, said socket piece having a passagecommunicating with a source of `pressure andwith the tube and the details shown and :extending through an opening in the end Wall ot the casing, `and an lanchor member conneetedto the tube and extending through a portion of the socket piece and the end wall lot' the casing to rlock said socket piece against rotative movement.

.2. In a Bourdon tube gauge, a casing, a Bourdon 'itu-be. a socket piece to Which one end of said tube is anchored said :socket piece 'having a passage communicating with a source ot pressure and With the tube and extending through on opening in the end Wall oft the casing, said socket piece having a flange lifting against the inner surface of the end wall of the casing, an anchor member connected to the tube and extending through openings in the socket flange and casing, and Ameans 'for clamping said -flange against the inner surface o-l' the end wall of the casing.

3. In a Bourdon tube gauge, a casing, a Bourdon tube. a socket piece separate from the tube but to which one end of said tube is anchored, said Socket piece having a pa,- sage communicating with a source ot pressure and With the tube and extending through Lan opening in the end Wall of the casing, said socket piece having a flange fitting against the inner surface of the end Wall ot' the casing, an anchor member connccted to the tube and extending through openings `in the socket flange and casing. and a nut threaded on the shank of said socket piece to clamp the same to the casing.

4. In a Bourdon ltube gauge, a casing. a Bour-don tube, a socket piece to which one end of said tube is anchored, said Socket piece having a passage communicating With a source of pressure and with the tube and extending through an opening in the end Wall of the easing, and means for clamping said socket piece to the casing, said socket piece haring a rib upon its inner end surface. said rib forming a bridge to separate the anchorage of the tube from an arbor bearing.

5. In a Bourdon tube gauge. a casing. a Bourdon tube. a socket piece to which one end of said tube is anchored, said socket piece l'iaving a passage communicating With a source of pressure and with the tube and extending through an opening` in the end u'all of the Casing, means for clamping said socket' piece to the casing. a post secured in said socket Apie a sleeve rotatably ymounted on said post flexible connections interni diate the 'free end ot the tube and said sleeve to rotatively actuate the latter. and a dial hand or pointer carried by said sleeve.

G. In a Bourdon tube gauge, a casing, a Bourdon tube, a socket piece to which one end of said itube is anchored. said ksocket piece having` a passage communicatingr with a source of pressure and with the tube and extending through an opening in the end Wall of the casing. means for clamping said socket 'piece to the casing, a post secured. in saidsocket piece, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said post, connections intermediate said sleeve and the freeend of said tube for rotatively actuating the latter, and a dial hand or pointer carried by said sleeve.

.7. Ina Bourdon tube gauge, a casing, a Bourdon tube, a socket piece mounted in said easing and to Which one end of said tube is anchored a post fixed to said socket piece, ya member rotatively mounted on said post and carrying` a dial hand or pointer, and flexible connections intermediate the free end ot said tube and said rotative member.

8. In a Bourdon tube gauge, a easing, a Bourdon tube, a socket piece mounted in said easing and to which one end ot' said tube is anchored, a member rotatively mounted on said socket piece and carrying a dial hand or pointer, `and fiexible connections intermediate the `free end of said tube and said rotative member, said flexible connections including an extensible portion located between the free end ot' the tube and the rotative member.

9. In a Bourdon tube gauge, a easing, a Bourdon tube-and a spindle, a member rotatively mounted on said spindle carrying a dial hand or pointer, means to support one end of the Bourdon tube, a flexible member connected at both of its ends to the free end of said Bourdon tube and coiled intermediate betiveen its ends about said rotative member, an extensible element included in one run of the flexible connection. and a collar having an opening, said collar beingl mounted upon the spindle and the flexible connection passing through an opening in the collar. one leg or run of said flexible member being Wound above said collar and the other leg or run being Wound belenv said collar.

l0. In. a` Bourdon tube gauge, a casing, a Bourdon tube and a spindle, a member rotatively mounted on said spindle carrying a dial hand or pointer, means to support one end of the Bourdon tube, a flexible member connected at both of its ends to the free end of said Bourdon tube and having its inte-i mediate portion coiled about said rotative member. an extensible element included in one run off the fiexible connection and a coi'- `lar having an opening. said collar being mounted upon the spindle and the flexible connection passing through the opening in the collar, one run or leg oi? said flexible connection being` wound abovey said collar and the other leg or run being` wound belenv said collar, and means for clamping the flexible connection to the collar.

l1. In a Bourdon tube gauge. a casing. a Bourdon tube arranged therein, said tube being anchored at one end, a dial hand or pointer, and means connected to the iree lll) Lund/L7@ end of said tube for actuating said dial hand or pointer, in combination with a fulerum abutment for said tube, said abutment interposed between said tube and easing, a carrier member for said abutment, said earrier member fitting' and held against the inner wall of the casing. and adjustable in the direction of the length of the tube.

12.111 a Bourdon tube gauge, a easing, a.

Bourdon tube arranged therein, said tube being` anchored at one end, a dial hand or pointer,` and means `connected to the iree` end of said'tube for actuating said dial hand or pointer, in eombinationwith a ulerum `abutment for Said tube, said abutment interposed between said tube and easing, a earrier member for said abutment, said carrier member iitting and held against the inner wall of the easing', the wall of the easing; having a portion thereof punched and pressed inwardly to form a loop, said earrier member extendingthrough said loop.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand on this 14th day of April A. D., 1920.'

ERNEST B. CROCKER. 

